Elkhart High School - Pennant Yearbook (Elkhart, IN)

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ppttnattt 192B Ammal fitting, however, that they should do physically what they were compelled to do mentally — climb to unusual heights to meet their teachers on a corresponding level. The new building (now the Samuel Strong School) was dedicated in January ol ' 93, and the class of that year was the first to graduate from the new school. Some of the most notable changes in High School work, which began to manifest them- selves then, and which we still adhere to, were the prominent - place given to history and literature, the high standard required for graduation, and the introduction of new branches of study. At this time, the grammar grades were removed from the High School and the building was devoted entirely to High School work. New teachers were also secured, making a total of ten for the High School. The assembly room with a seating capacity of over two hundred, and four recitation rooms constituted the second floor, while four more recitation rooms, with cloak rooms adjacent, the library and superintendent ' s office occupied the first. A chemical laboratory and a physical science room were fitted with the necessary appliances for studying those subjects in a mod- ern and systematic manner. This building was heated and venti- lated by the Smead system and lighted by gas. This school was used until 1912. the last class to graduate from it, being at that date. The present building was occupied in September, 1912. The dedication exercises were held in a session room. Friday eve- ning, November 22, 1912. Because of the lack of a large audi- torium, the exercises were to be simple, until the auditorium to the south could be completed, in which event there were to be larger and more formal dedication exercises. During the past two years there have been additions to Elkhart High School which are outstanding to us. The first really big event was the completion of our Gymnasium, one of the finest in the state. We will all remember how much this was needed and how thankful we felt when it was really fin- ished. The next outstanding addition was that of our Audito- rium, which was dedicated Thursday evening. April, 1925, by the School Board. We also realize how fortunate we are to have this work of art and beauty which has been needed for so many years and which we all agree is the finest and best in northern Indiana. We hope and know that Elkhart High School will continue to grow and improve and have the very best success that such an institute well deserves where Knowledge is Power. —LOTA WEBB. Eight

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pennant i92fi Annual A Ristory of CThe Elkhart High School In the future, when some of th.e graduates of Elkhart High School have won for themselves places of fame and renown in the world of business, art, science and other vocations, and when the public shall search back into the past records of that man or woman, they will know that man or woman has come from Elkhart High School! With this in view, let us peer into the past history of this institute where Knowledge is Power. The first school house, a one-story frame building, was built in 1838 on the east side of Second street, between Jackson and Washington. Six years later this building burned, and for four years, until a new building was erected on the original site, the three-story building, known as Tammany Hall, was used for school purposes. In 1S41. a long, foui ' -room, frame building was Iniilt on tlie corner of High and Second streets, where the High School now stands, and this was used until it became so old and shaky that people began to doubt its safety. This building was destroyed by fire in 1867. The next year a new four-story brick building was constructed on the same site, at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars. Many people denounced this as a piece of extravagance, and predicted that it would always be too roomy tor the number of children in Elkhart. It some of those people could have had a glimpse of the future, and seen the crow-ds of pupils come thronging in and out of Central building and High School today, it would have seemed incredible. Sixteen years later the High School needed more room and an addition of eight rooms was built adjoining the Central build- ing on the west. In the new building the High School and reci- tation rooms w-ere on the first floor, the upper grammar .grades occupied the second, and the library, museum and superintend- ent ' s oflice were in the room connecting the old and new build- ings. The dark and poorly ventilated rooms in this building, and the crowded condition of the rooms made it necessary to provide better accommodations To meet this demand, it was planned to . erect a new High School building at the .iunction of Vistula and Lexin.gton avenue, which was then Pigeon street. While this new- building was being built, the High School held its sessions in the fourth story of the Central building. After climbing those lon.g flights of stairs, the pupils felt that theirs was a high education in spirit and in truth. It was but Seven

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f nnattt 1920 Annual ALOnq THE OLD ST. JOE Nine